Komalapuram mill story from shutdown to success: Komalapuram mill in Kerala weaves a revival story
Backed by the Kerala government, Komalapuram Spinning and Weaving Mills in Alappuzha, a public sector unit, has recorded a turnover of ₹35.7 crore in 2024-25.
The Komalapuram Spinning and Weaving Mills in Alappuzha district of Kerala, once silent because of losses, is now telling a story of great revival. It is not just making yarn but also showing the strength and new hope in the area.
Backed by the Kerala government, the public sector unit has recorded a turnover of ₹35.7 crore in 2024-25.
The mill covers an area of 25 acres. It has expanded its work from making yarn to producing many types of clothing, such as bed sheets, shirts, pants, uniforms and bags. This mix brings together old traditions with modern styles.
The mill can make between 1.5 lakh to 1.6 lakh kilograms of fabric each month. It mainly produces polyester-cotton blended yarn in three types – 20s to 60s count, doubled yarn of 2/30 and 2/60. A big part of the mill’s income comes from supplying yarn to the Directorate of Handloom and Textiles for the free school uniform programme. It also sells yarn in open markets, especially in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
V.R. Hobby, the general manager of the mill, said, “We get our raw materials, mainly cotton and polyester, from the State-run Cotton Board. Our blends include 67% polyester and 33% cotton, 100% polyester, 80:20 polyester-cotton, and 65:35 polyester-viscose.”
The mill is responsible for providing khaki uniform cloth to the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). So far, it has delivered 1.4 lakh metres of fabric.
36 looms and signature brand
The facility has 36 looms that make fabric in-house. After that, the garments are made in units in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Its brand named Greenfield is getting more attention, especially from people who care about value. Prices range from ₹450 for plain or white shirts to ₹750 for 100% cotton printed shirts. “We want to make sure that quality branded shirts are affordable for everyone,” said Mr. Hobby.
Ahead of the Onam season, the mill is setting up a special sales outlet in Komalapuram. Last year, Onam sales brought in ₹17 lakh in revenue. “We are also producing stitched uniforms for medical colleges, public sector units like KMML and Travancore Cochin Chemicals, Kudumbashree groups, private firms, and MGNREGA workers,” said Anof Kumar, assistant manager of the mill.
More than 320 people, including locals, are now working at the mill. Originally started as Kerala Spinners Limited in the private sector in 1964, the unit was shut down in 2003 due to continuous losses. However, in a major effort led by then Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac, the State government took over the mill in 2010 and integrated it under the Kerala State Textile Corporation Ltd.
